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Technical Assistance Guidelines & FAQs

Purpose: The purpose of the Technical Assistance and Professional Development grant program is to provide funds to Charlotte-Mecklenburg non-profit organizations with a primary mission of arts, science or history to hire knowledgeable consultants to strengthen management and programs, develop a resource publication, engage in planning or allow staff and/or board members to attend workshops, conferences, or short-term training programs.  We wish to encourage staff and board development at all levels of the organization.

Who is Eligible: Any Mecklenburg County-based not-for-profit organization whose primary mission includes arts, science or history.  Projects that work with Public and Independent Schools, after school programs, and camps are not eligible. Applicants who have previously submitted their project to ASC under any granting program may not resubmit.

Grant Amount: Grants of up to $5,000 are available. In FY11, ASC awarded 23 grants ranging from $264 to $5,000 for grantees to take advantage of operational workshops, the expertise of consultants, and to attend discipline-specific conferences.

Historically, ASC has supported half of the costs of conference registration, travel and lodging, and has not covered per diem. Applicants are encouraged to plan their projects and manage their expectations accordingly.

Frequency: These are one-time, matching, and restricted grants for technical assistance, professional development experiences, or unique learning opportunities that could not otherwise be addressed through another Arts & Science Council (ASC) program.

Depending on available funds, ASC may limit each organization to one award during any given fiscal year and may provide partial support to any grant request.

Matching Requirement: To maximize the limited resources available, applicants are required to cash match ASC’s investment dollar for dollar.

Narrative Draft Review: ASC staff does not review drafts for this granting program but would be happy to confirm the eligibility of an application.

Support Period: Opportunities must occur after the award date and must be completed by June 30th.

Application Deadlines: Grant applications will be accepted two times during the ASC fiscal year (July-June). ASC staff will accept, review and approve requests as long as funds are available.  Generally applicants will be notified within three weeks of the deadline. Requests for funding will be competitive.  As a result, potential applicants are encouraged to submit complete and well conceived proposals.

Deadline 1: Monday, September 12, 2011 at 12:00pm
Deadline 2: Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:00pm

Funding May Be Used For: ASC funds may be requested for the following:

• To send a staff or board member to a regional or national conference, workshop or short-term program;
• To hire a consultant or consulting firm to strengthen an organization’s management, board or program capacity.

Grant Funds May Not Be Used For: These funds are not intended to supplement ongoing operating expenses. As a result, ASC will not entertain requests for the following:

• Ongoing programs, staff or operating costs
• Multi-year requests
• Per diems
• Capital improvements

A Note on Websites: While applying for assistance with a website is eligible, make sure it meets all the criteria.  For example, good requests would include sending staff to learn the website platform or hiring a consultant to help design the site map.  This category does not fund new website platforms, developing new media pages (Facebook, etc.) or general maintenance expenses.  For One-time upgrades or advancements see the Special Project Grant Program.

Review Criteria: ASC staff will accept and review all applications and make funding decisions based on the following criteria:

• The unique opportunity is clear and budget is realistic
• The outcomes and measures of success are clearly defined

How to Apply: To request a grant, the organization must submit an application online using the link below.

Click here to begin a new application
Click here to continue a previously started application

Application Checklist: Only completed applications that contain all required documents will be considered. All items should be uploaded and submitted electronically. The following documents are required:

• A narrative document of 1 page (12-point font with one-inch margins) should address the following:
  • Describe the special opportunity to be addressed with the grant.
  • What is the desired outcome (i.e., how will you define and measure success)?
  • Who from your organization will be involved in the activity (i.e., who is the project lead)?
  • When and where will the conference take place, or when will the consultant's work with your organizaiton begin and end.
  • Budget using the ASC Template (can be downloaded through the online system)

• 1-page resumes of professional consultants and/or facilitators
• Up to 3 pages of relevant supplementary materials (e.g., conference registration, travel expenses, consultant’s scope of services/quote)

Required Reporting: Most important to ASC is learning how your Technical Assistance and Professional Development Grant helped improve or change the organization. All grantees will be required to submit a final report that describes the impact and outcome of the project.  Final reports must be filed through the online process within 30 days of the activity’s completion.

Questions: If you have any questions, please contact the Cultural & Community Investment office Program Assistant at 704-335-3036.